Libraries should be just as pleasant as book stores, reasons Diamond Bar librarian Jesse Lanz.

Lanz assumed responsibility as Diamond Bar’s community library manager in January, but he’s been around and loved libraries since his childhood in Ohio.

“My parents took me to the library before I could walk,” Lanz said. “We made regular trips to the library when I was a child because my parents were avid readers, loved books and felt it was important that my brother and I develop a love of books and reading at an early age.”

“Jesse Lanz is a great addition to the Diamond Bar library,”said past Friends’ president Kathleen Newe.

“His enthusiasm and expertise add new dimensions to library programs,” she continued. “His integrity maintains wonderful programs and projects that began under the leadership of retired librarian Irene Wang. We’re lucky to have such a wonderful person continue the legacy of literacy and community outreach at our local library..”

Lanz was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and raised in nearby Hubbard. His parents, Jim and Charlotte Lanz, nurtured literacy and education as positive ways for sons Jesse and Elliott to advance themselves and embrace the world. Jim, a crafts store manager, enjoyed recreational reading as one of his most pleasant pastimes. Charlotte worked in the Hubbard community library before becoming a substitute teacher.

The couple planted the library seed in both their boys’ hearts. It germinated into a career Lanz has found daily rewarding and unique.

“My first real job was as a shelving page at the Hubbard Public Library,” Lanz said.

“I was in high school, about 17, and thought it was a great job. I’d always liked libraries because they’re always interesting, you meet great people there and there’s always something happening at the library.”

Lanz considers reading a way to broaden one’s horizons and embrace lifelong learning. It is the elemental beginning of success for one’s educational, personal and professional lives, he said.

Although he’d had a few different public library jobs as a Hubbard High School student and while earning his undergraduate degree in psychology and history at Oberlin College, Lanz confessed “I didn’t instantly realize I wanted to be a librarian.”

He did, however, realize two things during his brief stint in retail sales: He didn’t necessarily like working in retail sales, but he did love working with people. In a self-discovery session, he decided he wanted a job where he could make a positive impact, work with people and feel good at the end of each day.

That talk with himself led him full circle back to libraries.

He returned to school to earn a master’s degree in library science at Kent State University, then accepted a job at the Warren-Trumbull County Library in Warren, Ohio. His previous experience and educational foundation gave him the skills to handle the challenges as an audio-visual librarian responsible for buying videos and audio-visual materials for the library’s five branches.

“I tried to find materials that were good-quality, educational and entertaining,” Lanz said. “In making selections, I took into account customer requests, reviews in library journals and material that would challenge and educate people.”

The Ohio positions prepared him for greener and, weary of wintry weather, sunnier pastures in California.

“I really liked my job at the Warren library, but California was an adventure and opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Lanz said.